AFM: Dustin Hoffman to Star in Indie Drama ‘Boychoir’

Alfred Molina and Kathy Bates also star in pic

Dustin Hoffman is putting on the choir robes, coming on board to star in the indie drama “Boychoir” with Alfred Molina and Kathy Bates.

Embankment Films is handling international sales and will introduce the film to international distributors at the American Film Market.

The film is being financed and produced by Informant Media. Producers are Informant Media’s Judy Cairo (“Crazy Heart”), Carol Baum and Jane Goldenring.

Francois Girard (“The Red Violin”) will direct from a screenplay by “Source Code” writer Ben Ripley. Lensing is set to start in February in Connecticut and New York.

The story centers on a troubled and angry 11-year-old from the wrong side of the tracks who finds himself at an East Coast school, where he engages in a battle of wills with a demanding choir master, played by Hoffman, who recognizes a unique talent in the boy. Molina will play a teacher at the school, and Bates will portray the school’s headmistress.

Producers said they are searching worldwide to cast the boy singer. Singers from the American Boychoir School will be featured in the production.

“These boys’ voices soar with this rare, unearthly ability for only a few years of their young lives, then their voices transform, a gift seemingly lost,” Girard said. “But what they experience in that brief time shapes them forever.”

Hoffman recently made his directorial debut with “Quartet” and wrapped production on Jon Favreau’s “Chef.” He is also scheduled to star opposite Judi Dench in the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “Esio Trot.”

Informant is also in production on “Kidnapping Freddy Heineken,” starring Jim Sturgess, Sam Worthington, Ryan Kwanten and Anthony Hopkins. The film is also repped for sales at AFM by Embankment.

Hoffman is represented by WME. Molina is represented by WME and Hyler Management. Bates is represented by ICM Partners. Girard is repped by Cassaroto, Ramsey & Associates. Ripley is represented by the Gersh Agency and Mosaic. Informant Media is represented by attorney Elsa Ramo at Ramo Law. Baum and Goldenring are represented by Gersh.